LMS unveils versatile carbon fiber probe for aircraft fuel tanks

Per a report by Airframer, Liquid Measurement Systems, Inc. (LMS, Georgia, Va., U.S.) introduces a new onboard processing probe (OPP), an all-in-one level-sensing and signal conditioning system. It is designed to act independently in a single-tank aircraft with simple tank geometry, or be one of several independent units gauging fuel quantity in one or more tanks, each unit returning its respective fuel quantity to the specified aircraft data destination.

The OPP is said to uses the same carbon fiber tube design as conventional LMS fuel gauging probes, making it lightweight, durable, crash-resistant and virtually immune to corrosion, cracking, dents and extreme field conditions, according to the company. Flange mounting and installation is achieved directly through a 2-inch-diameter hole in the top or bottom of the tank, with no in-tank brackets or wires. Each unit weighs about 1.5 pounds.

LMS says system software is developed in accordance with DO-178C, Design Assurance Level B, with slosh-damping, and tank geometry defined in PDIF. System accuracy across a single fuel type meets MIL-G-26988 Class II.

“We originally saw the OPP as a safer, more accurate, higher reliability solution for small aircraft,” LMS President Scott Fewell notes “But our requirements evolved based on market feedback, and a final product that is a versatile solution that works with a variety of fuel tank configurations.”